It's almost time for the annual trip to beat the Hwy 20 closure for the season and ramble around in the area between Winthrop and Loomis.
In order to have options to accommodate the weather, this year we'll have high and low routes in case it's right on the edge between rain and snow. Given the choice I go snow since I can't stand sitting around in the rain once camp is set up. This is usually a snowy trip with snow depth averaging somewhere around a foot at 6-7,000 ft. At night the temps drop below 20 deg F (cold weather gear is a good idea).
We'll be trying to camp in the northeast section of the area this year, and if the snow is too deep at the higher elevations we have the chance to go down to 4,000 ft and drive through a chunk of the Loomis state forest.
This area does not have motorized trails - just forestry road in various states of condition. There have been a lot of fires in the area in the last 20 years, so there is plenty of options for gathering firewood. We can plan on being on forestry roads for 3-5hrs each day. I generally like to do 5 hrs Saturday and 3 Sunday so we can get a jump on the trip home.
Things to consider:
Forest Pass - in the case we end up in a developed campsite the Forest Pass is required
Tires - all terrain tires, or mud/snow rated in good condition, will be the minimum tread for the
weather/terrain combo
Recovery points - to extract a vehicle we need good tow points front and rear
Extra food - plenty of food and water are necessary when the weather is an unknown
/ plus it's nice to have extra in case we come across someone who has been
stranded
Spares - check your spare parts and supplies to be sure you replenish what you've used or
lost over the summer
First Aid - check your first aid kits and replenish any depleted items
Warm clothes/sleeping bags - the temps will be somewhere between 15 and 50 deg f.
Here's the link for the route options:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Slo6ybyYwFkM3I8QX1djoxPD42eomeA1&usp=sharing
The trip is full right now, but if you would like to go let me know, and I'll alert you if there is a cancellation.
Looking forward to getting back out to the Okanogan!
Snow! Looking forward to finally getting on a trip with you again.
Looking forward to this trip. I do have a question. Normally we use our cots under the awning on the jeep. Would this be suitable, or is the going to be far better? Will we have time to do any looking around the old Ruby town site or do any other side type things?
As far as sleeping under the awning, I would suppose it depends on the wind. We've had a foot of snow fall sideways on one occasion, so a tent might be better. I've pitched my two person tent on top of the snow and been comfortable.
We could easily dip down to Ruby and and the Fourth of July Mine. It might be easiest to go that way on the way out Sunday. We almost never follow the initial plan :)
I'd be apprehensive to sleep open air . It's been down near 20 the last couple
Vicki and I talked about it last night and decided to take the tent. It's big, but hey!
Aaron, are you both comming over?
Not sure if I'll be solo or not
@Aaron Kravik Tell your bride shes gotta go, or Vicki will feel bad!
w00t - a planning thread!
@Bryan L. Hoult I'm hoping to head up on Friday, are you planning to head in from Winthop as shown on your route plan? Bluff Street / Chewulch Road which appears to turn to NF-37? If so I may try to find a place along the route there to camp Friday night and join up as you pass by.
If not sure yet, no worries, I can find a place near Mazama store and meet up there at 11AM.
ED, If you head west past Mazama store to a bridge, maybe a mile or more, there is a kewl spot over the bridge and on right under the bridge where Vicki and I spent one night a few years ago. Not developed but a nice spot.
Anyone else planning to head up Friday?
Hi Ed - I may head up on Friday as well, not sure yet either. In any event, we should use this thread to lock down the route so we can coordinate linking up as we go. The options include heading to Ruby on the first day instead of up 37/39 right off the bat.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1zx63Msf5e69NcXtGIdmHoyMl-DO9N5Rv&usp=sharing
I thought there was to be a west side meet up in Marble Mount at the chevron station? We had planned to meet up there as we will be in Sedro Woolley fri night.
@Mark and Vicki Lennox It will depend on whether hwy 20 is still open. Last year it closed the night before the trip. If that happens, we'll only have the Winthrop meet up spot. Otherwise Marblemount will be the west side kick off point as planned.
@Bryan L. Hoult If we do marblemount, will you be thee or someone else? I dont have a problem leading gtoup from there to Winthrop.
I hate to need to do this. We are going to have to bail on this ine. I figured to let you know early enough that If some other wants to take our place. Sorry for this, but life has its ups and downs, we will be around for another when the time comes.
Thanks Mark. We'll see you out and about soon I hope.
@Bryan L. Hoult oh yeah, justnot this time. Health issues sometimes get in the way.
I just notices that at one of the points in our route, we'll come across the "Skull and Crossbones Cabin". Who doesn't want to go in there?
I think I'll take my rifle for that alone...
Hi all - it's time to get a roll call! So far I've heard from Ed, Aaron, Mark and Vicki, and Ryan. John and Hannah - are you stil green for go Nov 3/4?
Here we go - we're in the forecast window and....it looks like snow!
DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY Moderate snow accumulations are likely above 5000 feet Saturday night and Sunday along the East Slopes of the Cascades. Highway 20 over the summit of the North Cascade Highway has the potential to receive 4 to 8 inches creating travel impacts. Additional rounds of high mountain snow are possible into early next week.
Watch the forecast here: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-119.9013621713966&lat=48.79677793975932#.W9T5VrxKgxw
This makes me incredibly happy
@Aaron Kravik I whipped up the weather just for you!
Is anyone other than myself going up Friday? My goal is to head up near Mazama store Friday, and find something near there to spend Friday night and attend the meetup Saturday at 11AM. I don’t have an ETA yet, but I’m off Friday and plan to head out mid-day so as not to be in a hurry for much of anything. If you are going up Friday let me kow and maybe we can coordinate.
I'm going to hang out on the wet side and meet everyone in Marblemount. You could go over FSR 52 and camp near here:
48.648567, -120.241961
That way in the morning you just go down 5130 to 51, and follow that down to Winthrop and meet us at the Texaco (which may now be a Chevron) at 11am.
I'm still in! I might get cold though. If so, im snuggling with Ed, and dammit, I want to be the little spoon this time!
@ryanbowering I'm plannlng the trip, but not that part of it. My work cuts off before room assignments, but hey - what happens in the Taco, stays in the Taco.
@Bryan L. Hoult "the taco"? Is that some new sex position? Dirty...
@Aaron Kravik It is dirty.....well after few hours off road it's dirty. The "Taco" is a younger man's game - I'm not flexible enough to spoon in a shortbed.
If anyone else is heading over today I'm aiming for the Falls Creek campground off NF-51 just north of Winthrop (48.63509, 120.15577). Fallback will be the coordinates Bryan gave near Deer Creek (48.648567, -120.241961).
@Ed Amdahl Thanks Ed! We'll see you in Winthrop at 11 on Sat. I think the Texaco may be a Chevron now, but it's the same place with that big gravel parking lot.
I'll be meeting Bryan in marblehead or wherever the spot is. (ill look more closely begore leaving lol)
cant wait!
Yes! Marblemount Chevron 9am
Texaco (maybe changed to Chevron)
972 WA-20
Winthrop, Washington 11am
I'm going to be 15 or 20 late. So sorry! I left when I planned on leaving, I'm just a moron.